On Sunday 13 October we celebrated the canonisation of St John Henry Newman. St John Henry established the first Oratory in the English speaking world in Birmingham. He was a well known convert from Anglicanism having to give up much when he became a Catholic. He is one of the greatest intellectuals in the Church, a man of deep prayer, and sought his pastoral work among the poor of Birmingham drawing souls to Christ through friendship and joy.
In preparation for this feast we have been praying a Novena to St John Henry in our parish, in which we also celebrated his feast day, finishing with a celebration on Sunday with his canonisation with a sung Mass followed by a spit roast picnic with our parishioners. It wonderful to have so many of our parishioners and supporters join us on this great day.
